Ambrose Fogarty was an Irish international and ex Sunderland hero who, when he was signed by Hartlepools United as it was then in 1963, was by far the most expensive and high profile player the team had ever had. He cost £10,000.

He made 138 appearances and was awarded a testimonial on March 2nd 1967. Hartlepools, including manager Brian Clough, played Charlie Hurley's  11. Hurley was another Sunderland and Irish international.

The Pools side won 6-3 and the scorers were Jimmy Mulvaney, Terry Bell, John Sheridan, Joe Livingstone(2) and Fogarty himself. There was a crowd of over 7000 and also a dance in his honour.

On the photo taken at the time are L-R  Tony Parry, Brian Drysdale, Stan Aston, manager Brian Clough, Joe Livingstone, Brian Grant, Tony Bircumshaw, John Sheridan, Amby Fogarty, director Bert Young, Ken Simpkins, Ernie Phythian and Jimmy Mulvaney.

When he retired, Fogarty managed a number of Irish teams and he died in January 2016 aged 82.

Hartlepool United, Victoria Ground, Clarence Road, Hartlepool. The changing rooms are on the right and the large wooden stand, which was demolished in 1985 following the Bradford City fire, is in the centre.

The Cyril Knowles stand, built in the mid 1990s covers this area now.

On the far left is the greyhound stadium and Morrison's carpark is now on this site.

The stand at Victoria Ground (now Park) was demolished in 1985 following the fire at Bradford F.C. after which all wooden stands were condemned. The Cyril Knowles stand was eventually built in its place.

A birds-eye view showing the railway line and ASDA car park to the right, and the football ground with St Oswald's Church in the distance. Morrisons' supermarket now stands on the waste ground on the left. 

On February 26th 1956, Hartlepools United, it was Hartlepools then, were due to play Accrington Stanley at Victoria Ground as it was then. However following a pitch inspection, the game was called off because of snow and ice.

On the photo are L to R director S Spaldin, secretary F Perryman, groundsman W Snowden and Cleethorpes referee J Swain.

In this section you will find a selection of information, photographs and memories relating to Hartlepool’s footballing achievements. We would like to add to this section: if you have any relevant material that you would be willing to share, please get in touch with us atinfodesk@hartlepool.gov.uk

Team photograph of Hartlepool United 1958 - 1959

A not so serious moment with the football team on the Greyhound track in Clarence Road with Victoria Ground in the background. Early 1950s.

Another pic of Pools players training on the Greyhound Stadium, their names and the date is currently unknown.

On January 8th 1955, Pools played local rivals Darlington in the FA Cup 3rd round. There was a crowd of 12,450 and increased prices meant it cost 2 shillings and sixpence admission.

The game ended at 1 all and there was a replay at Feethams where a two all draw meant a second replay at Ayresome Park Middlesbrough's ground. Pools won 2 nil on a snowbound pitch and on January 29th, 17,200 fans packed the Vic as Pools faced Nottingham Forest in the 4th round. This was a further draw and forced a replay at City Ground Nottingham where Pools just lost in the dying minutes. Had they won, they would have had a further derby with Newcastle in the 5th round.

Another pic of Ken Johnson leading the training on the Greyhound Stadium, Tommy McGuigan prominent but the other players are currewntly unknown. any viewer who can i/d the players is invited to contact the wesbite with their information

Ken Johnson leads the training with Tommy Mcguigan, the names of the other players are currently unknown.

Since Victoria Park (Ground) had opened, there had been an open terrace on the Mill House side of the ground or 'tips' side.

Finally in 1969, work began on the Mill House Stand which was to cost £40,000 and would seat 1800. The plans were for dressing rooms, offices and bars underneath but it was unclear when this was to happen.

Today the Mill House Stand is much as it was built and rather strangely does not run the full length of the pitch. Although there is a bar and food outlet under it, the other plans never came to fruition.

A gathering of some of Hartlepool's greatest players - and just out of picture, Andy McCluskey, who provided the information in the accompanying Note.

Kenny Johnson – Local hero; played in the famous home F.A. Cup tie against Manchester United in January 1957 – Hartlepool lost a very close game 4-3. In later life Kenny and his wife ran a Fish ‘n Chip shop on the Fens.

 ? Can’t remember this Irish lad’s name, but he was one of Brian Clough’s early signings, coming from Nottingham Forest.

 Kenny Simpkins – Welshman – Great lad. Played Goalkeeper and at times as a Centre Forward and was good in both positions. Lives on the Headland and still attends Pools’ games.

 Alan Fox – Another Welshman, signed from Wrexham. Played a lot of league games for the Pool’s and was a very good Centre Half, popular with the supporters. Still lives in the town.

 Brian Cooper – Local lad and a very competitive full-back. Still lives in the town and runs a building and plumbing business with his sons.

 Winston Roberts – Another local lad and a great midfield player – a real wizard with the ball. Played lots of local league football, with teams such as the Boys Welfare and Lion Social.

 Tommy Johnson – A Pool’s legend, who spent many years at the Club, and who was also a Physio at Middlesbrough. Tommy encouraged many a young player to realise their full potential.

 Alan Melville – A very imposing and competitive player who also spent some time with St. Joseph’s F.C. Still lives in Hartlepool working as a carpet fitter.

 John McGovern – A legend in the world of football, winning two European Cup medals with Nottingham Forest. Still lives in the town.

 Hugh Hamilton – Played many games for the Pools’, and later Stockton F.C. and Lion Social. Still lives in the town with his wife and family.

 Peter Thompson – A great Centre Forward, who also spent time with Bournemouth. Peter now works as a Youth Leader in Owton Manor, and is a great inspiration to young people.

 Colin Temple – “Temps”, local lad and a good player for the Pools’. Also spent time at a number of Northern League clubs. Still lives in the town.

Andy McCluskey, October, 2012.

Signage on the main entrance to Hartlepool United's Victoria Ground (as it was called then) before major refurbishment to the Clarence Road side of the ground. Taken around 1983.

Hartlepools United team of the 1961-62 season taken at Victoria Ground.

back row right to left are: Jimmy Cain,Bobby Folland, NormN Oakley, Ray Bilcliff, Derek Wilkie and Ken Johnson.

front: Clive Bircham, John Edgar, Barry Hawes, Ken Waugh and Gordon Lithgo.

Two of Hartlepools' star players of the 1950s - Tommy McGuigan (left), and Leo Harden, the "Flying Dustman". Leo gained his nickname from the fact that he remained a part-time player with Hartlepool, his main job being a dustbin man!

Taken at Victoria Park, then called  Victoria Ground, in 1961 when Hartlepool Reserves were playing York Reserves. The photo is taken from the 'Town End' goal looking towards the Rink End. On the right is the old wooden stand which at the time and until the 1980s, was the only seated part of the ground.

The pointed roof in the background was Clock Garage and became incorporated into the ground. It is now the main office block.

Floodlights did not come to Victoria Ground until 1967.

Victoria Park, Clarence Road, Hartlepool, home of Hartlepool United. Taken in 1994.

As of 2016 it is called Northern Power and Gas Stadium but is still known as 'The Vic' by suppoerters.

hht&n 996

Victoria Park, Clarence Road, Hartlepool, undergoing renovation 1995. Victoria Park is the home of Hartlepool United and is from 2016 officially called Northenr Power and Gas Stadium, the name of the ground sponsors.

hht&n 995

Watty Moore was a well known centre half for Hartlepool United F.C. in the 1950s.

Thanks to the attached  recollection of Jim Brownlee, this image is of the 1953 – England Schools Shield clash on Victoria Ground in February, they had accounted for Stoke Boys in the previous round and faced Chesterfield in the next.

A goal from Greenwood on 12 minutes sealed the West Boys win against Manchester Boys, , and their side on the day was

Field; Beavs, Norris; Eyre, Dixon, Deathers; Greenwood, Musgrave, MacGregor, Clyburn.

 Norris was from Elwick Road School, Eyre (Sacred Heart) Deathers (St Bega's), all the rest were from TDS in Lauder Street.

 (Source CMcL)

According to Mr Jim Brownlee, the match was played at Victoria Park with over 14.000 attending. 

He recalls players such as brothers Terry and Peter Mcgregor, King who played in goal, Deathers a half back and Clyburn the outside left. Many of the side were from what was then the Technical Day School. 

He goes on to say the Terry and Peter's father Jim Mcgregor was instrumental in setting up the local Sunday League once Sunday football was sanctioned by the FA. 

Jim Brownlee was a former pupil of the rugby playing Grammar School who enjoyed many years in the Sunday League for Teesmouth and West Rugby.